NFL
By: Brock Vierra
I know, I know. Two losses should mean that USC is eliminated from College Football Playoff contention and for the most part, you would be right. No team has ever made the college football playoff with two losses. It does not happen and quite frankly it shouldn’t for USC. The team has no defense, an offense with clear holes in it and a team that isn’t playing at a championship level right now. However through sheer dumb luck, a scenario has opened itself up for USC to make the playoff. Let me explain.
USC Needs To Take Care of Business
The Trojans have to win out. There is no question. However as of writing, USC’s remaining three games are against ranked opponents. They play #5 Washington this week, #6 Oregon next week and #19 UCLA to end the season. Ranked at twenty right now, USC could pull off wins not only over ranked opponents but top ten teams. That would allow USC to jump over Notre Dame, a team they lost to due to strength of schedule. The Irish also play Clemson so they could pick up their third loss of the year.
If USC wins out, they would make the Pac-12 Championship Game. Due to tie breakers, it would be most likely that USC plays Washington, Oregon, Utah or Oregon State. Teams that are all currently ranked. If its Washington or Oregon, two wins against a top 10 team would be a major resume booster. They could also get an opportunity to redeem themselves against Utah. If this all happens, USC would end the regular season with an 11-2 record and four Top 25 wins.
They would need help
USC would need a lot of teams to pick up either their first or second loss for USC to make it. Alabama, Ole Miss, Oklahoma, Texas, Penn State, Missouri and Louisville are the one loss teams ranked ahead of USC. They would all need to lose. However, they also all play each other or a top 4 team. Texas and Oklahoma would meet each other in the Big 12 Championship Game if they win out and that’s no guarantee. Oklahoma has the easier road but has a major test in Stillwater in the highly emotional last edition of Bedlam. Texas plays perennial thorn in your side Kansas State with backup QB Maalik Murphy.
Ole Miss and Missouri play back to back National Champion Georgia along with #17 Tennessee, who hosts the Bulldogs as they also have two losses but are ranked above USC. Alabama would most likely face Georgia in the SEC title game if they can get past LSU this week. Georgia could single handedly eliminate four teams ranked ahead of USC. Penn State hosts Michigan which could either exit the Nittany Lions or give Michigan the loss Ohio State needs to eliminate the Wolverines when they meet in the Big Game.
Louisville and Florida State are bound to meet in the ACC title game so if FSU picks up a loss, it could be an eliminator. FSU plays Pitt, Miami, North Alabama and Florida to end the year.
The Pac-12 would eliminate themselves
The creme of the crop in the Pac-12 all play each other to end the season. Utah plays at Washington, Washington plays at Oregon State, Oregon State plays at Oregon in the Civil War. UCLA has an easier road. They play at USC but this week they play a tough Arizona Wildcats squad that has momentum after beating Washington State 44-6 in Pullman and upsetting Oregon State at home. Arizona also lost by two to USC in LA and lost by seven in a close game against Washington. Arizona also upset UCLA at the Rose Bowl last year.
Michigan or Ohio State would have to pick up a loss before the Big Game
This is the hardest part for USC. If Ohio State and Michigan enter the Big Game undefeated and the winner of said matchup wins the Big 10, both teams are getting in. They’re too big of a brand for the committee to ignore and a Big Game for a national title would be one of the greatest marketing tools ever given to College Football.
For Michigan, they should take care of business against Purdue and at Maryland. Going to Happy Valley is their biggest test. However Penn State has looked awful against the Wolverines last year. However when Michigan travels to Penn State, they struggle. Since 2017, in three trips to Penn State, Michigan is 1-2. Their only win was by four points and the point differential in their combined losses was 18. Michigan is also 3-3 verses Penn State since 2017.
For Ohio State, they have a cakewalk. A trip to New Jersey to play a tough, rugged Rutgers team might be the only warning for the Buckeyes. They play Minnesota and Michigan State at home. USC would need a miracle.
Yes I know it is highly improbable but after three straight weeks of awful performances, it should be shocking to see that USC not only controls their own destiny in conference play but they also have a shot at the College Football Playoff. They need a lot but it all starts with Washington. Pick up one crazy win and let the cards fall where they may.
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